Family planning staff go on work abstention in Rangpur

Family planning services at the union level across Rangpur Division have come to a standstill as field-level staff began an indefinite work abstention on Wednesday, demanding the implementation of long-pending recruitment rules.

From 9am, family welfare visitors, family planning inspectors, and family welfare assistants from various union health and sub-health complexes gathered in front of the Rangpur divisional family planning office.

The absence of field staff has left marginalised communities, who rely heavily on these services, facing significant hardships.

Several participants said they were appointed as third-class employees but were later placed in the 17th grade instead of the 14th grade after the pay scale revision, resulting in the loss of proper designation and retirement benefits.

Sushmita Rani, a staff member from Darshana Union Health Complex, said, “We were appointed as third-class employees, but later we were placed in the 17th grade. This deprives us of our rightful designation and post-retirement facilities. We also lack a distinct professional identity.”

Shamimul Islam, a family planning inspector at Rangpur Sadar Union Health Complex, said the absence of recruitment rules has persisted for generations, with repeated assurances but no implementation.

Rangpur Divisional Health Director Dr Gawsul Azim said discussions on the recruitment rules are underway at higher levels of government and expressed hope for a timely resolution.